"Ethiopia is an attractive country for investors"

EHPEA, the Ethiopian association for growers and exporters, has 140 members who produce and export fruit, vegetables and flowers. Yemishrach Berhanu, responsible for the promotion of the association, indicates they are present at various fresh produce fairs to promote their members’ products. They also participated in the Macfrut in Rimini. “We promote strawberries, avocados, mangoes, pineapple, herbs, beans and various other fruits and vegetables.”

Yemisrach Berhanu (right) during Macfrut 2017.InterestingShe continues: “Besides, we want to emphasise that Ethiopia is an attractive country for investors. There are various interesting projects, and the government supports those financially as well. Interest rates are low, so there are plenty of reasons to ask for some information. An area of 1,000 hectares has been set apart for investors.”

Yemishrach says Ethiopian companies export much to Europe. “Important buyers are Germany and the Netherlands. The UK is also a major buyer. We are planning to export even more in future, and the government supports us in that. The great thing is that we produce year-round, and so always have supply. Europeans are mostly interested in snap peas and fine beans."